A Tannersville man just wants to be released from jail so he can work to start paying off the restitution he owes from an October "smash-and-grab" theft of expensive watches at the Crossings Premium Outlet Center.

ANDREW SCOTT

A Tannersville man just wants to be released from jail so he can work to start paying off the restitution he owes from an October "smash-and-grab" theft of expensive watches at the Crossings Premium Outlet Center.

"But I can't get a good job because of my record," a frustrated Terence McArdle, 32, told his mother Tuesday in Tannersville District Court. "It's like I keep paying for my crimes."

Employed for the past two weeks as a cook at an area restaurant, McArdle waived his right to preliminary hearings on two cases. One is the Crossings retail theft case and the other is his March 20 arrest on a driving-under-the-influence charge that led to his arrest in the retail theft case.

Pocono Township police said they recognized McArdle by his tattoos, the same tattoos visible on the suspect captured on surveillance video during the theft.

Police said McArdle entered Ultra Diamond while an unidentified, still-at-large accomplice propped the door open with a rock for a quick escape.

While the accomplice returned to the getaway car and Ultra Diamond employees were helping a customer in the back of the store, McArdle took a hammer, smashed a glass case, removed two watches totaling more than $20,000 and then fled with the accomplice in the getaway car, police said.

Police said he broke down in tears and made some form of admission after he was taken into custody on the DUI, but that he didn't name his accomplice.

Olsen denied the request, noting McArdle's prior criminal history of simple assault and theft cases and serving five years in state prison. Spishock said McArdle has never had any arrest warrants or bail revocations.

"And this particular crime didn't involve violence against anyone," Spishock said, but this wasn't enough to keep Olsen from deeming McArdle a flight risk if released from jail.

McArdle's girlfriend covered her eyes and wept while McArdle hung his head and sighed after Olsen denied the bail modification request.